Related Entrepreneurs

Selected 2013

Abdulmohsin Al-Rabiah

Current companyShawarmer

CountrySaudi Arabia

IndustryConsumer

Shawarmer has transformed the way Saudis think about and eat shawarma, the savory grilled meat sandwiches found at corner stands across the Middle East. Abdulmohsin saw room to capitalize on shawarma’s popularity and consumer mistrust of street food. In 1999, he opened his first restaurant in Riyadh, applying basic fast food standards of cleanliness, convenience, and standardized quality to a popular Arab food concept. His chain of fast-casual restaurants, with 28 locations throughout Saudi Arabia, is devoted to serving shawarma and other classic Arab foods, freshly prepared with high-quality ingredients and served with Arab hospitality.

Shwarmer, the first mover in bringing the Arab fast-casual concept to the market, has placed Abdulmohsin on the vanguard of Saudi Arabian fast food. With over 15 years of industry experience, Abdulmohsin possesses the know-how to cement his place in the growing Saudi market for fast food. He plans to consolidate the Saudi market. Accounting for over 90% of revenues of its holding company, Shawarmer plans to add new franchises across Saudi Arabia, the GCC, and Egypt. The company also has received franchise requests from Kuwait, the UAE, the US, and Canada.